Mammalogy Fall 2003 - Exam 1

ANSWER any 65 points of questions 1-13. I will only grade the first 65 points.

1. List from most inclusive to least inclusive the seven fundamental Linnaean categories. (5 points)
2. What is the adaptive advantage of a tribosphenic molar over the teeth found in more primitive mammals (5 points).
3. What is the function of the trophoblast (5 points)
4. Discuss the scan sampling method of observing mammals. (5 points)
5. What are the functions of sweat glands? (5 points)
6. List and give examples of three functions of hair in mammals.(5 points)
7. How does a classification derived from a taxonomic key differ from one produced using synapomorphies? (10 points)
8. Distinguish between brachyodont and hypsodont teeth. In herbivores, what type of feeding habit(s) is associated with the presence of each type of teeth? How does each type of teeth contribute to efficient processing of specific diets? (10 points)
9. Characterize the pelycosaurs. How do they differ from more primitive amniotes? How do they differ from therapsids. What special adaptation(s)/feature(s) do they have? (10 points)
10. What are multituberculates? How are they related to other synapsids? What ecological niche do they occupy? What is the evidence for this? (10 points)
11. What is a heterodont dentition? Discuss how this term relates to pelycosaurs, therapsids, and mammals. What is the relationship between a heterodont dentition and endothermy? (10 points)
12. How does plate tectonics explain the distribution and diversity of marsupials in the Neotropical and Australian zoogeographic region? (10 points)
13. Why does the marsupial reproductive pattern limit their morphological diversity? Discuss at least three specific examples of placental morphology not found in marsupials because of this. (10 points)

(35 pts) Choose ANY 7 of the mammalian groups given on the answer sheet and complete the information in the table. If the taxon does not have an ecomorph from another zoogeographic region, note that it does not. I will accept common names for ecomorphs. Do not repeat any information from a previous answer

EXTRA CREDIT–answer one or two more for an extra 5 or 10 points. If you answer all 10 I will deduct points.

Zoogeographic Region(s) (1 pt), Characteristics and Adaptation(s), etc. of Taxon (3 pts), Ecomorph of (1 pt)